Power panels including conductive clip assemblies and bus stack arrangements incorporating safety features

ABSTRACT

A power panel of an electrical distribution system including a bus stack with a plurality of conductive bars spaced from one another and a plurality of insulators, an electrical accessory is coupled to the plurality of bus bars, and each insulator includes a main body and a safety feature that extends from the main body. The safety features from adjacent insulators extend towards one another to define a gap sized to prevent insertion of a foreign object therein. The gap is further sized to permit insertion there through of a conductive component to establish an electrical connection between multiple bus bars and the electrical accessory.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates, generally, to power panels of electricalpower distribution systems, and, more particularly, to conductive clipassemblies and bus stack arrangements included in such power panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

During operation of electrical power distribution systems, operatorexposure to certain components may pose safety concerns. For example,operators that install, maintain, and/or service power panels ofelectrical power distribution systems may be exposed to live componentsthat provide electrical power to one or more electrical loads oraccessories. Devices, systems, and/or methods adapted for electricalpower distribution systems that increase safety for operators such asmaintenance personnel, for example, therefore remain an area ofinterest.

Electrical power distribution systems may incorporate conductive devicesto conduct electrical power supplied to one or more line-side devices toone or more load-side devices. The electrical connection between the oneor more line-side devices and the one or more load-side devices may bedependent upon contact between the conductive devices and the one ormore line-side devices, among other things. Devices, systems, and/ormethods adapted for electrical power distribution systems that improveestablishment of contact between conductive devices and one or moreload-side devices therefore remain an area of interest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention described herein is illustrated by way of example and notby way of limitation in the accompanying figures. For simplicity andclarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elementsmay be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further,where considered appropriate, reference labels have been repeated amongthe figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a power panel of an electrical powerdistribution system that incorporates a first bus stack arrangementhaving a number of safety features and one or more electricalaccessories;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a bus stack arrangement with certainfeatures of a power panel (e.g., the one or more electrical accessories)omitted for the sake of simplicity;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of multiple safety features of the bus stackarrangement depicted in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a second bus stack arrangementincorporating safety features that is adapted for use in the power paneldepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of the bus stack arrangement depicted in FIG.4 with an electrical probe oriented in one orientation in a gap definedbetween a pair of safety features;

FIG. 6 is a magnified view of the bus stack arrangement depicted in FIG.4 with the electrical probe oriented in another orientation in the gap;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a third bus stack arrangementincorporating safety features that is adapted for use in the power paneldepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of a fourth bus stack arrangementincorporating safety features that is adapted for use in the power paneldepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a magnified view of a portion of a fifth bus stack arrangementincorporating safety features that is adapted for use in the power paneldepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a magnified view of a portion of a sixth bus stackarrangement incorporating safety features that is adapted for use in thepower panel depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of a seventh bus stack arrangementincorporating safety features that is adapted for use in the power paneldepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a magnified view of a conductive clip assembly included inthe power panel depicted in FIG. 1 and adapted for use with any of theaforementioned bus stack arrangements;

FIG. 13 is a simplified flowchart of a method of servicing the powerpanel depicted in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 14 is a simplified flowchart of a method of assembling the powerpanel of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof havebeen shown by way of example in the drawings and will be describedherein in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is nointent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particularforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the presentdisclosure and the appended claims.

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,”“an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily includethat particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, suchphrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further,when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure,or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described. Additionally, it should be appreciated that itemsincluded in a list in the form of “at least one A, B, and C” can mean(A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C).Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” canmean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C).

In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown inspecific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should beappreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not berequired. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged ina different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures.Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in aparticular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required inall embodiments and, in some embodiments, may not be included or may becombined with other features.

A number of features described below may be illustrated in the drawingsin phantom. Depiction of certain features in phantom is intended toconvey that those features may be hidden or present in one or moreembodiments, while not necessarily present in other embodiments.Additionally, in the one or more embodiments in which those features maybe present, illustration of the features in phantom is intended toconvey that the features may have location(s) and/or position(s)different from the locations(s) and/or position(s) shown.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an illustrative electrical power distributionsystem 100 includes a power panel, panel board, or switch board 102. Inthe illustrative embodiment, the power panel 102 includes a bus stackarrangement 110, a connector kit 170, and at least one electricalaccessory or load 180. The bus stack arrangement 110 is coupled to asource of electrical power (e.g., a utility line) to receive electricalpower therefrom and to the electrical load 180 to provide electricalpower thereto. The connector kit 170 provides a connection interfacebetween the bus stack arrangement 110 and the electrical load 180 toenable multiple phases of electrical power to be provided from the busstack arrangement 110 to the electrical load 180, at least in someembodiments. The connector kit 170 and the electrical load 180 areexamples of load-side components according to the illustrated embodimentand are conductively coupled with load-side portions of conductive clipassemblies 1200. In other embodiments the connector kit 170 may beomitted or may be provided as an integral element of the accessory orload 180 and the load 180 may be may be directly conductively coupledwith load-side portions of conductive clip assemblies 1200.

In the illustrative embodiment, the connector kit 170 is formed toinclude notches 172 that are sized to receive components (i.e.,insulators 130) of the bus stack arrangement 110 to at least partiallyalign, retain and/or secure those components in a desired positionand/or orientation. Additionally, in the illustrative embodiment, theconnector kit 170 is configured to at least partially receive or house(i.e., in a polymeric housing 174) load-side portions of conductive clipassemblies 1200 (see FIG. 13) included in the power panel 102 as well asconnective devices (e.g., conductive straps, contacts, brackets,fasteners, wires, or the like) configured for interaction with the clipassemblies 1200 to electrically couple the bus stack arrangement 110 tothe electrical load 180. A load-side conductor of clip assemblies 1200may conductively couple the clip assemblies 1200 with a conductor of theconnector kit 170 via the contacting of respective conductive surfacesof the a load side portion of the clip assemblies 1200 and the conductorof the connector kit 170 or, in embodiments where the connector kit 170is omitted or provided as an integral element of the accessory or load180, via the contacting of respective conductive surfaces of the a loadside portion of the clip assemblies 1200 and a conductor of load 180. Inany case, the illustrative connector kit 170 is configured to provideelectrical insulation between the connective devices to facilitateestablishment of electrical connections between the bus stackarrangement 110 and the electrical load 180. To that end, at least insome embodiments, the housing 174 may be at least partially filled withan electrical insulator, such as glass, for example.

In the illustrative embodiment, the at least one electrical load 180 isembodied as, or otherwise includes, any device or collection of devicesconfigured for electrical coupling to the bus stack arrangement 110 inuse of the power panel 102. For the purposes of the present disclosure,the bus stack arrangement 110 may be referred to as a line-side device,whereas the electrical load 180 may be referred to as a load-sidedevice. Additionally, features of the clip assemblies 1200 or othercomponents that contact, are directly coupled to, or otherwise directlyinterface with components of the bus stack arrangement 110 may be givenline-side designations herein, whereas features of the clip assemblies1200 or other components that contact, are directly coupled to, orotherwise directly interface with components associated with theelectrical load 180 may be given load-side designations. Regardless, theelectrical load 180 is illustratively embodied as, or otherwiseincludes, a circuit breaker. Of course, it should be appreciated that inother embodiments, the electrical load 180 may be embodied as, orotherwise include, another type of load device.

The illustrative bus stack arrangement 110 includes conductive bus bars120 that are spaced from one in a vertical direction V and coupled tothe at least one electrical load 180 (i.e., via the clip assemblies1200) to distribute electrical power to the load 180. In theillustrative embodiment, the bus bars 120 include bus bars 121, 122,123, 124, 125, 126 that extend parallel to one another and are arrangedin a first bus bar pair (i.e., 121, 122), a second bus bar pair (i.e.,123, 124), and a third bus bar pair (i.e., 125, 126). The three bus barpairs are associated with three different phases of electrical powerthat are provided to the bus stack arrangement 110 in use of the powerpanel 102. As such, the bus stack arrangement 110 may be said to includetwo bus bars 120 per power phase.

Each of the illustrative bus bars 120 has a metallic construction. Inthe illustrative embodiment, each of the bus bars 120 is formed fromcopper. In other embodiments, however, each of the bus bars 120 may beformed from another suitable metallic material. In any case, a metallicspacer or donut 112 is disposed between the bus bars 121, 122, ametallic spacer or donut 114 is disposed between the bus bars 123, 124,and a metallic spacer or donut 116 is disposed between the bus bars 125,126. The spacers 112, 114, 116 have a metallic constructionsubstantially identical to, or otherwise substantially similar to, thebus bars 120.

The illustrative bus stack arrangement 110 includes insulators 130 toprovide electrical insulation between multiple conductive bus bars 120and/or between one of the bus bars 120 and another component (e.g., oneof the metallic brackets 104, 106). In the illustrative embodiment, theinsulators 130 includes insulators 131, 132, 133, 134 that are arrangedin insulator pairs corresponding to the bus bar pairs. Morespecifically, the insulators 130 are arranged in a first insulator pair(i.e., 131, 132) corresponding to the first bus pair (i.e., 121, 122), asecond insulator pair (i.e., 132, 133) corresponding to the second buspair (i.e., 123, 124), and a third insulator pair (i.e., 133, 134)corresponding to the third bus pair (i.e., 125, 126). The insulator 132is arranged between the first and second bus bar pairs and the insulator133 is arranged between the second and third bus bar pairs. Theinsulator 131 is arranged between the bracket 104 and the first bus barpair and the insulator 134 is arranged between the third bus bar pairand the bracket 106.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the insulators 130 has apolymeric construction. At least in some embodiments, each of theinsulators 130 may be at least partially filled with an electricalinsulator, such as glass, for example. Of course, it should beappreciated that in other embodiments, each of the insulators 130 mayhave another suitable construction and may be at least partially filledwith another suitable material.

The illustrative insulators 130 cooperate to define gaps 128 in thevertical direction V through which the clip assemblies 1200 extend inuse of the power panel 102 and through which a foreign object (e.g., anelectrical probe) may be inserted such that the foreign object is inproximity to one or more of the bus bars 120, as further discussedbelow. The gaps 128 are defined in substantially identical fashionbetween projections 138 of adjacent insulators 130. For the sake ofsimplicity, the gaps 128 defined between the insulators 131, 132 aredescribed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

Each of the insulators 130 includes a main body 136 and at least oneprojection or safety feature 138 that extends outwardly from the mainbody 136 along one of the bus bars 120. Whereas the insulators 132, 133each include four projections or safety features 138, the insulators131, 134 each include two projections or safety features 138. Theprojections 138 of adjacent insulators 130 extend toward one another inthe vertical direction V to define the gaps 128 therebetween that aresized to resist insertion of foreign objects through the gaps 128 suchthat the inserted foreign objects contact one of the bus bars 120arranged adjacent the gaps 128, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.Additionally, the gaps 128 are sized to permit insertion therethrough ofconductive components (e.g., the clip assemblies 1200) to establish anelectrical connection between the bus bars 120 and the electrical load180 through the conductive components in use of the power panel 102, asbest seen in FIGS. 1 and 13.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, using the adjacent insulators 131, 132as an example, the projections 138 of the insulators 131, 132 cooperateto define gaps 128 adjacent a first side 210 of the bus stackarrangement 110 and adjacent a second side 220 of the bus stackarrangement 110. The sides 210, 220 of the bus stack arrangement 110 arearranged substantially opposite one another. Gaps 128 are definedadjacent the sides 210, 220 by the projections 138 of the otherinsulator pairs (e.g., the insulator pair 132, 133 and the insulatorpair 133, 134) in substantially similar fashion.

In the illustrative embodiment, innermost edges 338 of the projections138 are spaced from outermost edges 321, 322 of the corresponding busbars 121, 122 in a horizontal direction H. A portion P1 of the uppermostprojection 138 (i.e., as depicted in FIG. 3) extends substantiallyparallel to a horizontal axis H1 defined by the adjacent bus bar 121.Similarly, a portion P1 of the lowermost projection 138 (i.e., asdepicted in FIG. 3) extends substantially parallel to a horizontal axisH2 defined by the adjacent bus bar 122. A portion P2 of the uppermostprojection 138 that is interconnected with the portion P1 thereofextends at an angle α to the axis H1. A portion P2 of the lowermostprojection 138 that is interconnected with the portion P1 thereofextends at an angle ⊖ to the axis H2.

Each of the illustrative angles α, ⊖ is embodied as, or otherwiseincludes, an acute angle. In at least some embodiments, the magnitudesof the angles α, ⊖ may be substantially identical to one another. Ofcourse, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, each of theangles α, ⊖ may be embodied as, or otherwise include, another suitableangle. Furthermore, in other embodiments, it should be appreciated thatthe magnitudes of the angles α, ⊖ may be different from one another.

In the illustrative embodiment, the portions P1 of the uppermost andlowermost projections 138 define generally planar faces 340 that faceone another and are arranged in confronting relation to one another.Additionally, in the illustrative embodiment, the portions P2 of theuppermost and lowermost projections 138 define generally planar faces342 that face one another and are arranged in confronting relation toone another. In other embodiments, however, the portions P1 of theuppermost and lowermost projections 138 may have another suitablearrangement relative to one another and define faces having othersuitable geometries, and the portions P2 of the uppermost and lowermostprojections 138 may have another suitable arrangement relative to oneanother and define faces having other suitable geometries.

In the illustrative embodiment, the gaps 128 defined between theprojections 138 of the insulators 131, 132 are sized to resist insertiontherethrough of a human finger or an electrical probe having a diameterof at least 12 millimeters such that the inserted object contacts one ofthe bus bars 121, 122 arranged adjacent the gaps 128. Accordingly, in atleast some embodiments, the projections 138 are embodied as, orotherwise include, safety features that provide, satisfy, or areotherwise associated with, a predetermined safety standard, for example,the IP20 safety standard or another safety standard. As such, at leastin some embodiments, the faces 340 of the insulators 131, 132 whichdefine the gaps 128 are spaced a distance D1 from one another that is nogreater than 12 millimeters. Of course, in other embodiments, thedistance D1 may have another suitable value.

In the illustrative embodiment, the portions P2 of the insulators 131,132 are spaced from one another by various distances D2 along the faces342 of the uppermost and lowermost projections. At least in someembodiments, one or more of the various distances D2 are greater thanthe distance D1. In such embodiments, one or more of the variousdistances D2 may be greater than 12 millimeters. Of course, in otherembodiments, the various distances D2 may have other suitable values.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an illustrative bus stack arrangement 410adapted for use in the power panel 102 includes conductive bus bars 420substantially similar to the bus bars 120 that are spaced from one in avertical direction V′. In the illustrative embodiment, the bus bars 420include bus bars 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426 that extend parallel toone another and are arranged in a first bus bar pair (i.e., 421, 422), asecond bus bar pair (i.e., 423, 424), and a third bus bar pair (i.e.,425, 426). The three bus bar pairs are associated with three differentphases of electrical power that are provided to the bus stackarrangement 410. As such, the bus stack arrangement 410 may be said toinclude two bus bars 420 per power phase.

Each of the illustrative bus bars 420 has a metallic construction. Inthe illustrative embodiment, each of the bus bars 420 is formed fromcopper. In other embodiments, however, each of the bus bars 420 may beformed from another suitable metallic material. In any case, a metallicspacer or donut 412 is disposed between the bus bars 421, 422, ametallic spacer or donut 414 is disposed between the bus bars 423, 424,and a metallic spacer or donut 416 is disposed between the bus bars 425,426. The spacers 412, 414, 416 have a metallic constructionsubstantially identical to, or otherwise substantially similar to, thebus bars 420.

The illustrative bus stack arrangement 410 includes insulators 430 toprovide electrical insulation between multiple conductive bus bars 420and/or between one of the bus bars 420 and another component (e.g., oneof the metallic brackets 404, 406). In the illustrative embodiment, theinsulators 430 includes insulators 431, 432, 433, 434 that are arrangedin insulator pairs corresponding to the bus bar pairs. Morespecifically, the insulators 430 are arranged in a first insulator pair(i.e., 431, 432) corresponding to the first bus bar pair (i.e., 421,422), a second insulator pair (i.e., 432, 433) corresponding to thesecond bus bar pair (i.e., 423, 424), and a third insulator pair (i.e.,433, 434) corresponding to the third bus bar pair (i.e., 425, 426). Theinsulator 432 is arranged between the first and second bus bar pairs andthe insulator 433 is arranged between the second and third bus barpairs. The insulator 431 is arranged between the bracket 404 and thefirst bus bar pair and the insulator 434 is arranged between the thirdbus bar pair and the bracket 406.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the insulators 430 has apolymeric construction. At least in some embodiments, each of theinsulators 430 may be at least partially filled with an electricalinsulator, such as glass, for example. Of course, it should beappreciated that in other embodiments, each of the insulators 430 mayhave another suitable construction and may be at least partially filledwith another suitable material.

The illustrative insulators 430 cooperate to define gaps 428 in thevertical direction V′ through which conductive components (e.g., theclip assemblies 1200) may extend and through which a foreign object(e.g., an electrical probe) may be inserted such that the foreign objectis in proximity to one or more of the bus bars 420, as further discussedbelow. The gaps 428 are defined in substantially identical fashionbetween projections 438 of adjacent insulators 430. For the sake ofsimplicity, the gaps 428 defined between the insulators 431, 432 aredescribed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

Each of the insulators 430 includes a main body 436 and at least oneprojection or safety feature 438 that extends outwardly from the mainbody 436 along one of the bus bars 420. Whereas the insulators 432, 433each include four projections or safety features 438, the insulators431, 434 each include two projections or safety features 438. Theprojections 438 of adjacent insulators 430 extend toward one another inthe vertical direction V′ to define the gaps 428 therebetween that aresized to resist insertion of foreign objects through the gaps 428 suchthat the inserted foreign objects contact one of the bus bars 420arranged adjacent the gaps 428, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.Additionally, the gaps 428 are sized to permit insertion therethrough ofconductive components (e.g., the clip assemblies 1200) to establish anelectrical connection between the bus bars 420 and an electrical load(e.g., the electrical load 180) through the conductive components.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the illustrative embodiment, andusing the adjacent insulators 431, 432 as an example, innermost edges538 of the projections 438 are spaced from outermost edges 521, 522 ofthe corresponding bus bars 421, 422 in a horizontal direction H′. Theuppermost projection 438 (i.e., as depicted in FIG. 5) extends at anangle α′ relative to a horizontal axis H1′ defined by the adjacent busbar 421. Similarly, the lowermost projection 438 (i.e., as depicted inFIG. 5) extends at an angle ⊖′ relative to a horizontal axis H2′ definedby the adjacent bus bar 422.

Each of the illustrative angles α′, ⊖′ is embodied as, or otherwiseincludes, an acute angle. In at least some embodiments, the magnitudesof the angles α′, ⊖′ may be substantially identical to one another. Ofcourse, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, each of theangles α′, ⊖′ may be embodied as, or otherwise include, another suitableangle. Furthermore, in other embodiments, it should be appreciated thatthe magnitudes of the angles α′, ⊖′ may be different from one another.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the projections 438 of theinsulators 431, 432 has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. Theuppermost and lowermost projections 438 define generally planar faces540 that face one another and are arranged in confronting relation toone another. In other embodiments, however, the projections 438 may haveanother suitable cross-sectional shape and define faces having othersuitable geometries.

In the illustrative embodiment, the gaps 428 are defined betweenoutermost edges 542 of the projections 438 of the adjacent insulators431, 432. The gaps 428 defined between the projections 438 of theinsulators 431, 432 are sized to resist insertion therethrough of ahuman finger or an electrical probe having a diameter of at least 12millimeters such that the inserted object contacts one of the bus bars421, 422 arranged adjacent the gaps 428. Accordingly, in at least someembodiments, the projections 438 are embodied as, or otherwise include,safety features that provide, satisfy, or are otherwise associated with,a predetermined safety standard, for example, the IP20 safety standardor another safety standard. As such, at least in some embodiments, theoutermost edges 542 of the adjacent insulators 431, 432 which define thegaps 428 are spaced a distance D1′ from one another that is no greaterthan 12 millimeters. Of course, in other embodiments, the distance D1′may have another suitable value.

In the illustrative embodiment, the innermost edges 538 of theprojections 438 of the adjacent insulators 431, 432 are spaced adistance D2′ from one another to define openings 544 that are fluidlycoupled to the gaps 428. At least in some embodiments, the distance D2′is greater than the distance D1′. In such embodiments, the distance D2′may be greater than 12 millimeters. Of course, in other embodiments, thedistance D2′ may have another suitable value.

As shown in each of FIGS. 5 and 6, an electrical probe 590 is insertedthrough the gap 428 toward a space 580 defined between the bus bars 421,422. The size of the gap 428 prevents, or otherwise substantiallyresists, contact between one of the bus bars 421, 422 and a tip 592 ofthe electrical probe 590 when the electrical probe 590 is in a firstorientation 594 (shown in FIG. 5) and when the electrical probe 590 isin a second orientation 696 (shown in FIG. 6). More specifically, due tothe size of the gap 428, the electrical probe 590 contacts at least oneof the uppermost and lowermost projections 438 of the insulators 431,432 to resist contact between the probe 590 and one of the bus bars 421,422 through the gap 428.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an illustrative bus stack arrangement 710adapted for use in the power panel 102 includes conductive bus bars 720substantially similar to the bus bars 120 that are spaced from one in avertical direction V″. In the illustrative embodiment, the bus bars 720include bus bars 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726 that extend parallel toone another and are arranged in a first bus bar pair (i.e., 721, 722), asecond bus bar pair (i.e., 723, 724), and a third bus bar pair (i.e.,725, 726). The three bus bar pairs are associated with three differentphases of electrical power that are provided to the bus stackarrangement 710. As such, the bus stack arrangement 710 may be said toinclude two bus bars 720 per power phase.

Each of the illustrative bus bars 720 has a metallic construction. Inthe illustrative embodiment, each of the bus bars 720 is formed fromcopper. In other embodiments, however, each of the bus bars 720 may beformed from another suitable metallic material. In any case, a metallicspacer or donut 712 is disposed between the bus bars 721, 722, ametallic spacer or donut 714 is disposed between the bus bars 723, 724,and a metallic spacer or donut 716 is disposed between the bus bars 725,726. The spacers 712, 714, 716 have a metallic constructionsubstantially identical to, or otherwise substantially similar to, thebus bars 720.

The illustrative bus stack arrangement 710 includes insulators 730 toprovide electrical insulation between multiple conductive bus bars 720and/or between one of the bus bars 720 and another component (e.g., themetallic bracket 704 and the post 706). In the illustrative embodiment,the insulators 730 includes insulators 731, 732, 733, 734 that arearranged in insulator pairs corresponding to the bus bar pairs. Morespecifically, the insulators 730 are arranged in a first insulator pair(i.e., 731, 732) corresponding to the first bus bar pair (i.e., 721,722), a second insulator pair (i.e., 732, 733) corresponding to thesecond bus bar pair (i.e., 723, 724), and a third insulator pair (i.e.,733, 734) corresponding to the third bus bar pair (i.e., 725, 726). Theinsulator 732 is arranged between the first and second bus bar pairs andthe insulator 733 is arranged between the second and third bus barpairs. The insulator 731 is arranged between the bracket 704 and thefirst bus bar pair and the insulator 734 is arranged between the thirdbus bar pair and the post 706.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the insulators 730 has apolymeric construction. At least in some embodiments, each of theinsulators 730 may be at least partially filled with an electricalinsulator, such as glass, for example. Of course, it should beappreciated that in other embodiments, each of the insulators 730 mayhave another suitable construction and may be at least partially filledwith another suitable material.

The illustrative insulators 730 cooperate to define gaps 728 in thevertical direction V″ through which conductive components (e.g., theclip assemblies 1200) may extend and through which a foreign object(e.g., an electrical probe) may be inserted such that the foreign objectis in proximity to one or more of the bus bars 720. The gaps 728 aredefined in substantially identical fashion between projections 738 ofadjacent insulators 730. For the sake of simplicity, the gaps 728defined between the insulators 732, 733 are described in greater detailbelow.

Each of the insulators 730 includes a main body 736 and at least oneprojection or safety feature 738 that extends outwardly from the mainbody 736 along or adjacent to one of the bus bars 720. Whereas theinsulators 732, 733 each include four projections or safety features738, the insulators 731, 734 each include one projection or safetyfeature 738. The projections 738 of adjacent insulators 730 extendtoward one another in the vertical direction V″ to define the gaps 728therebetween that are sized to resist insertion of foreign objectsthrough the gaps 728 such that the inserted foreign objects contact oneof the bus bars 720 arranged adjacent the gaps 728. Additionally, thegaps 728 are sized to permit insertion therethrough of conductivecomponents (e.g., the clip assemblies 1200) to establish an electricalconnection between the bus bars 720 and an electrical load (e.g., theelectrical load 180) through the conductive components.

In the illustrative embodiment, using the adjacent insulators 732, 733as an example, innermost edges 740 of the projections 738 abut outermostedges 727, 729 of the corresponding bus bars 723, 724 such that theprojections 738 are not spaced from the bus bars 723, 724 in ahorizontal direction H″. Each of the projections 738 of the insulators732, 733 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The projections 738define generally planar faces 742 that face one another and are arrangedin confronting relation to one another. In other embodiments, however,the projections 738 may have another suitable cross-sectional shape anddefine faces having other suitable geometries.

In the illustrative embodiment, the gaps 728 are defined between thefaces 742 of the projections 738 of the adjacent insulators 732, 733.The gaps 728 defined between the projections 738 of the insulators 732,733 are sized to resist insertion therethrough of a human finger or anelectrical probe having a diameter of at least 12 millimeters such thatthe inserted object contacts one of the bus bars 723, 724 arrangedadjacent the gaps 728. Accordingly, in at least some embodiments, theprojections 738 are embodied as, or otherwise include, safety featuresthat provide, satisfy, or are otherwise associated with, a predeterminedsafety standard, for example, the IP20 safety standard or another safetystandard. As such, at least in some embodiments, the faces 742 of theadjacent insulators 732, 733 which define the gaps 728 are spaced adistance D1″ from one another that is no greater than 12 millimeters. Ofcourse, in other embodiments, the distance D1″ may have another suitablevalue.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an illustrative bus stack arrangement 810adapted for use in the power panel 102 includes conductive bus bars 820substantially similar to the bus bars 120 that are spaced from one in avertical direction V′″. It should be appreciated that an orientation 811of the bus stack arrangement 810 depicted in FIG. 8 differs from anorientation 711 of the bus stack arrangement 710 depicted in FIG. 7.More specifically, in comparison to the bus stack arrangement 710 andthe orientation 711 thereof shown in FIG. 7, the bus stack arrangement810 is rotated approximately 180 degrees about an axis 713 in theorientation 811 shown in FIG. 8.

In the illustrative embodiment, the bus bars 820 include bus bars 821,822, 823, 824, 825, 826 that extend parallel to one another and arearranged in a first bus bar pair (i.e., 821, 822), a second bus bar pair(i.e., 823, 824), and a third bus bar pair (i.e., 825, 826). The threebus bar pairs are associated with three different phases of electricalpower that are provided to the bus stack arrangement 810. As such, thebus stack arrangement 810 may be said to include two bus bars 820 perpower phase.

Each of the illustrative bus bars 820 has a metallic construction. Inthe illustrative embodiment, each of the bus bars 820 is formed fromcopper. In other embodiments, however, each of the bus bars 820 may beformed from another suitable metallic material. In any case, a metallicspacer or donut 812 is disposed between the bus bars 821, 822, ametallic spacer or donut 814 is disposed between the bus bars 823, 824,and a metallic spacer or donut 816 is disposed between the bus bars 825,826. The spacers 812, 814, 816 have a metallic constructionsubstantially identical to, or otherwise substantially similar to, thebus bars 820.

The illustrative bus stack arrangement 810 includes insulators 830 toprovide electrical insulation between multiple conductive bus bars 820and/or between one of the bus bars 820 and another component (e.g., themetallic bracket 804 and the post 806). In the illustrative embodiment,the insulators 830 includes insulators 831, 832, 833, 834 that arearranged in insulator pairs corresponding to the bus bar pairs. Morespecifically, the insulators 830 are arranged in a first insulator pair(i.e., 831, 832) corresponding to the first bus bar pair (i.e., 821,822), a second insulator pair (i.e., 832, 833) corresponding to thesecond bus bar pair (i.e., 823, 824), and a third insulator pair (i.e.,833, 834) corresponding to the third bus bar pair (i.e., 825, 826). Theinsulator 832 is arranged between the first and second bus bar pairs andthe insulator 833 is arranged between the second and third bus barpairs. The insulator 831 is arranged between the bracket 804 and thefirst bus bar pair and the insulator 834 is arranged between the thirdbus bar pair and the post 806.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the insulators 830 has apolymeric construction. At least in some embodiments, each of theinsulators 830 may be at least partially filled with an electricalinsulator, such as glass, for example. Of course, it should beappreciated that in other embodiments, each of the insulators 830 mayhave another suitable construction and may be at least partially filledwith another suitable material.

The illustrative insulators 830 cooperate to define gaps 828 in thevertical direction V′″ through which conductive components (e.g., theclip assemblies 1200) may extend and through which a foreign object(e.g., an electrical probe) may be inserted such that the foreign objectis in proximity to one or more of the bus bars 820. The gaps 828 aredefined in substantially identical fashion between projections 838 ofadjacent insulators 830. For the sake of simplicity, the gaps 828defined between the insulators 832, 833 are described in greater detailbelow.

Each of the insulators 830 includes a main body 836 and at least oneprojection or safety feature 838 that extends outwardly from the mainbody 836 along or adjacent to one of the bus bars 820. Whereas theinsulators 832, 833 each include four projections or safety features838, the insulators 831, 834 each include one projection or safetyfeature 838. The projections 838 of adjacent insulators 830 extendtoward one another in the vertical direction V′″ to define the gaps 828therebetween that are sized to resist insertion of foreign objectsthrough the gaps 828 such that the inserted foreign objects contact oneof the bus bars 820 arranged adjacent the gaps 828. Additionally, thegaps 828 are sized to permit insertion therethrough of conductivecomponents (e.g., the clip assemblies 1200) to establish an electricalconnection between the bus bars 820 and an electrical load (e.g., theelectrical load 180) through the conductive components.

In the illustrative embodiment, using the adjacent insulators 832, 833as an example, the projections 838 are spaced from outermost edges 827,829 of the corresponding bus bars 823, 824 in a horizontal directionH″′. Each of the projections 838 of the insulators 832, 833 has arectangular cross-sectional shape. The projections 838 define generallyplanar faces 842 that face one another and are arranged in confrontingrelation to one another. In other embodiments, however, the projections838 may have another suitable cross-sectional shape and define faceshaving other suitable geometries.

In the illustrative embodiment, the gaps 828 are defined between thefaces 842 of the projections 838 of the adjacent insulators 832, 833.The gaps 828 defined between the projections 838 of the insulators 832,833 are sized to resist insertion therethrough of a human finger or anelectrical probe having a diameter of at least 12 millimeters such thatthe inserted object contacts one of the bus bars 823, 824 arrangedadjacent the gaps 828. Accordingly, in at least some embodiments, theprojections 838 are embodied as, or otherwise include, safety featuresthat provide, satisfy, or are otherwise associated with, a predeterminedsafety standard, for example, the IP20 safety standard or another safetystandard. As such, at least in some embodiments, the faces 842 of theadjacent insulators 832, 833 which define the gaps 828 are spaced adistance D1″′ from one another that is no greater than 12 millimeters.Of course, in other embodiments, the distance D1″′ may have anothersuitable value.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an illustrative bus stack arrangement 910adapted for use in the power panel 102 includes conductive bus bars 920substantially similar to the bus bars 120 that are spaced from one in avertical direction V1. The arrangement of the bus bars 920 may besubstantially similar to the aforementioned arrangement of the bus bars120 such that the bus bars 920 extend parallel to one another and arearranged in three bus bar pairs associated with three different phasesof electrical power. For the sake of simplicity, however, the bus bars920 depicted in FIG. 9 include bus bars 921, 922, 923, 924 arranged in afirst bus bar pair (i.e., 921, 922) and a second bus bar pair (i.e.,923, 924).

Each of the illustrative bus bars 920 has a metallic construction. Inthe illustrative embodiment, each of the bus bars 920 is formed fromcopper. In other embodiments, however, each of the bus bars 920 may beformed from another suitable metallic material. Although not shown, itshould be appreciated that metallic spacers or donuts may be disposedbetween the bus bars 921, 922, 923, 924 in similar fashion to thearrangement of the donuts 112, 114, 116 relative to the bus bars 121,122, 123, 124, 125, 126 in the bus stack arrangement 110.

The illustrative bus stack arrangement 910 includes insulators 930 toprovide electrical insulation between multiple conductive bus bars 920and/or between one of the bus bars 920 and another component. Thearrangement of the insulators 930 may be substantially similar to theaforementioned arrangement of the insulators 130 such that theinsulators 930 are arranged in insulator pairs corresponding to the busbar pairs. For the sake of simplicity, however, the insulators 930depicted in FIG. 9 include an insulator 931 arranged between the busbars 921, 922 and an insulator 932 arranged between the bus bars 923,924.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the insulators 930 has apolymeric construction. At least in some embodiments, each of theinsulators 930 may be at least partially filled with an electricalinsulator, such as glass, for example. Of course, it should beappreciated that in other embodiments, each of the insulators 930 mayhave another suitable construction and may be at least partially filledwith another suitable material.

The illustrative insulators 930 cooperate to define gaps 928 in thevertical direction V1 through which conductive components (e.g., theclip assemblies 1200) may extend and through which a foreign object(e.g., an electrical probe) may be inserted such that the foreign objectis in proximity to one or more of the bus bars 920. The gaps 928 aredefined in substantially identical fashion between projections 938 ofadjacent insulators 930. It should be appreciated that the gaps 928depicted in FIG. 9 correspond to gaps 928 defined adjacent one side ofthe bus stack arrangement 910. Of course, similar to the bus stackarrangement 110, the gaps 928 may also be defined adjacent another sideof the bus stack arrangement 910 that is arranged substantially oppositethe one side. In any case, for the sake of simplicity, only the gap 928defined between the projections 938 of the adjacent insulators 931, 932is described in greater detail below.

Each of the insulators 931, 932 includes a main body 936 and at leastone projection or safety feature 938 that extends outwardly from themain body 936. The projections 938 of the insulators 931, 932 extendtoward one another in the vertical direction V1 to define the gap 928therebetween that is sized to resist insertion of foreign objectstherethrough such that the inserted foreign objects contact one of thebus bars 922, 923 arranged adjacent the gap 928. Additionally, the gap928 is sized to permit insertion therethrough of a conductive component(e.g., one of the clip assemblies 1200) to establish an electricalconnection between the bus bars 920 and an electrical load (e.g., theelectrical load 180) through the conductive component.

In the illustrative embodiment, the projections 938 are spaced fromoutermost edges 927, 929 of the corresponding bus bars 922, 923 in ahorizontal direction H1. Each of the projections 938 of the insulators931, 932 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The projections 938define generally planar faces 940 that face one another and are arrangedin confronting relation to one another to define the gap 928. In otherembodiments, however, the projections 938 may have another suitablecross-sectional shape and define faces having other suitable geometries.

In the illustrative embodiment, the gap 928 defined between the faces940 of the projections 938 of the adjacent insulators 931, 932 is sizedto resist insertion therethrough of a human finger or an electricalprobe having a diameter of at least 12 millimeters such that theinserted object contacts one of the bus bars 922, 923 arranged adjacentthe gap 928. Accordingly, in at least some embodiments, the projections938 are embodied as, or otherwise include, safety features that provide,satisfy, or are otherwise associated with, a predetermined safetystandard, for example, the IP20 safety standard or another safetystandard. As such, at least in some embodiments, the faces 940 of theadjacent insulators 931, 932 which define the gap 928 are spaced adistance D2 from one another that is no greater than 12 millimeters. Ofcourse, in other embodiments, the distance D2 may have another suitablevalue.

The insulators 931, 932 include ancillary projections 948 that arespaced from the projections 938 in the horizontal direction H1 andextend outwardly away from the main body 936 of the insulators 931, 932.As depicted in FIG. 9, the projections 938 and the ancillary projections948 are formed on the same side 952 of each of the insulators 931, 932.In the illustrative embodiment, the ancillary projections 948 of eachinsulator 931, 932 are located exteriorly of the projections 938relative to a center (not shown) of the bus stack arrangement 910.Additionally, in the illustrative embodiment, the ancillary projections948 of each insulator 931, 932 extend outwardly from the main body 936to a lesser extent than the projections 938. Consequently, the ancillaryprojections 948 of the adjacent insulators 931, 932 are spaced from oneanother in the vertical direction V1 by an illustrative distance D3 thatis greater than the distance D2.

At least in some embodiments, in cooperation with the projections 938,the ancillary projections 948 may resist insertion of a human finger oran electrical probe having a diameter of at least 12 millimeters throughthe gap 928 such that the inserted object contacts one of the bus bars922, 923 arranged adjacent the gap 928. Accordingly, at least in someembodiments, the ancillary projections 948 may be embodied as, orotherwise include, safety features that facilitate attainment of apredetermined safety standard, for example, the IP20 safety standard oranother safety standard, in cooperation with the projections 938.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the ancillary projections 948 ofthe insulators 931, 932 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. Theancillary projections 948 define generally planar faces 950 that faceone another and are arranged in confronting relation to one another. Inother embodiments, however, the ancillary projections 948 may haveanother suitable cross-sectional shape and define faces having othersuitable geometries.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an illustrative bus stack arrangement 1010adapted for use in the power panel 102 includes conductive bus bars 1020substantially similar to the bus bars 120 that are spaced from one in avertical direction V1′. The arrangement of the bus bars 1020 may besubstantially similar to the aforementioned arrangement of the bus bars120 such that the bus bars 1020 extend parallel to one another and arearranged in three bus bar pairs associated with three different phasesof electrical power. For the sake of simplicity, however, the bus bars1020 depicted in FIG. 10 include bus bars 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024arranged in a first bus bar pair (i.e., 1021, 1022) and a second bus barpair (i.e., 1023, 1024).

Each of the illustrative bus bars 1020 has a metallic construction. Inthe illustrative embodiment, each of the bus bars 1020 is formed fromcopper. In other embodiments, however, each of the bus bars 1020 may beformed from another suitable metallic material. Although not shown, itshould be appreciated that metallic spacers or donuts may be disposedbetween the bus bars 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024 in similar fashion to thearrangement of the donuts 112, 114, 116 relative to the bus bars 121,122, 123, 124, 125, 126 in the bus stack arrangement 110.

The illustrative bus stack arrangement 1010 includes insulators 1030 toprovide electrical insulation between multiple conductive bus bars 1020and/or between one of the bus bars 1020 and another component. Thearrangement of the insulators 1030 may be substantially similar to theaforementioned arrangement of the insulators 130 such that theinsulators 1030 are arranged in insulator pairs corresponding to the busbar pairs. For the sake of simplicity, however, the insulators 1030depicted in FIG. 10 include an insulator 1031 arranged between the busbars 1021, 1022 and an insulator 1032 arranged between the bus bars1023, 1024.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the insulators 1030 has apolymeric construction. At least in some embodiments, each of theinsulators 1030 may be at least partially filled with an electricalinsulator, such as glass, for example. Of course, it should beappreciated that in other embodiments, each of the insulators 1030 mayhave another suitable construction and may be at least partially filledwith another suitable material.

The illustrative insulators 1030 cooperate to define gaps 1028 in thevertical direction V1′ through which conductive components (e.g., theclip assemblies 1200) may extend and through which a foreign object(e.g., an electrical probe) may be inserted such that the foreign objectis in proximity to one or more of the bus bars 1020. The gaps 1028 aredefined in substantially identical fashion between projections 1038 ofadjacent insulators 1030. It should be appreciated that the gaps 1028depicted in FIG. 10 correspond to gaps 1028 defined adjacent one side ofthe bus stack arrangement 1010. Of course, similar to the bus stackarrangement 110, the gaps 1028 may also be defined adjacent another sideof the bus stack arrangement 1010 that is arranged substantiallyopposite the one side. In any case, for the sake of simplicity, only thegap 1028 defined between the projections 1038 of the adjacent insulators1031, 1032 is described in greater detail below.

Each of the insulators 1031, 1032 includes a main body 1036 and at leastone projection or safety feature 1038 that extends outwardly from themain body 1036. The projections 1038 of the insulators 1031, 1032 extendtoward one another in the vertical direction V1′ to define the gap 1028therebetween that is sized to resist insertion of foreign objectstherethrough such that the inserted foreign objects contact one of thebus bars 1022, 1023 arranged adjacent the gap 1028. Additionally, thegap 1028 is sized to permit insertion therethrough of a conductivecomponent (e.g., one of the clip assemblies 1200) to establish anelectrical connection between the bus bars 1020 and an electrical load(e.g., the electrical load 180) through the conductive component.

In the illustrative embodiment, the projections 1038 are spaced fromoutermost edges 1027, 1029 of the corresponding bus bars 1022, 1023 in ahorizontal direction H1′. Each of the projections 1038 is illustrativelyembodied as, or otherwise includes, a fin-shaped projection having anarcuate tip 1040. The arcuate tips 1040 of the projections 1038 of theadjacent insulators 1031, 1032 face one another and are arranged inconfronting relation to one another to define the gap 1028. In otherembodiments, however, the projections 1038 may be embodied as, orotherwise include, projections having another suitable shape.

In the illustrative embodiment, the gap 1028 defined between the arcuatetips 1040 of the projections 1038 of the adjacent insulators 1031, 1032is sized to resist insertion therethrough of a human finger or anelectrical probe having a diameter of at least 12 millimeters such thatthe inserted object contacts one of the bus bars 1022, 1023 arrangedadjacent the gap 1028. Accordingly, in at least some embodiments, theprojections 1038 are embodied as, or otherwise include, safety featuresthat provide, satisfy, or are otherwise associated with, a predeterminedsafety standard, for example, the IP20 safety standard or another safetystandard. As such, at least in some embodiments, the arcuate tips 1040of the adjacent insulators 1031, 1032 which define the gap 1028 arespaced a distance D2′ from one another that is no greater than 12millimeters. Of course, in other embodiments, the distance D2′ may haveanother suitable value.

The insulators 1031, 1032 include ancillary projections 1048 that arespaced from the projections 1038 in the horizontal direction H1′ andextend outwardly away from the main body 1036 of the insulators 1031,1032. As depicted in FIG. 10, the projections 1038 and the ancillaryprojections 1048 are formed on the same side 1052 of each of theinsulators 1031, 1032. In the illustrative embodiment, the ancillaryprojections 1048 of each insulator 1031, 1032 are located exteriorly ofthe projections 1038 relative to a center (not shown) of the bus stackarrangement 1010. Additionally, in the illustrative embodiment, theancillary projections 1048 of each insulator 1031, 1032 extend outwardlyfrom the main body 1036 to a lesser extent than the projections 1038.Consequently, the ancillary projections 1048 of the adjacent insulators1031, 1032 are spaced from one another in the vertical direction V1′ byan illustrative distance D3′ that is greater than the distance D2′.

At least in some embodiments, in cooperation with the projections 1038,the ancillary projections 1048 may resist insertion of a human finger oran electrical probe having a diameter of at least 12 millimeters throughthe gap 1028 such that the inserted object contacts one of the bus bars1022, 1023 arranged adjacent the gap 1028. Accordingly, at least in someembodiments, the ancillary projections 1048 may be embodied as, orotherwise include, safety features that facilitate attainment of apredetermined safety standard, for example, the IP20 safety standard oranother safety standard, in cooperation with the projections 1038.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the ancillary projections 1048of the insulators 1031, 1032 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.The ancillary projections 1048 define generally planar faces 1050 thatface one another and are arranged in confronting relation to oneanother. In other embodiments, however, the ancillary projections 1048may have another suitable cross-sectional shape and define faces havingother suitable geometries.

Referring back to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, it should be appreciated that theinsulators 930, 1030 may incorporate additional features and/or havealternative geometries that, in combination with the projections 938,1038, further facilitate attainment of a predetermined safety rating,such as an IP-20 safety rating, for example. In some embodiments, theinsulators 930, 1030 (e.g., the main bodies 936, 1036 of the insulators931, 932, 1031, 1032) may be lengthened and/or enlarged in thehorizontal directions H1, H1′ and/or the vertical directions V1, V1′such that the insulators 930 define gaps (not shown) sized to resistpassage therethrough of some portion of an electrical probe (e.g., aportion of the probe 590 having a greater diameter than the tip 592) ora human hand. In such embodiments, the main bodies 936, 1036 and theprojections 938, 1038 of the insulators 930, 1030 may cooperativelyprovide, or otherwise be characterized as, safety features. In otherembodiments, however, the insulators 930, 1030 may incorporateadditional features and/or have alternative geometries that, independentof the inclusion of the projections 938, 1038, facilitate attainment ofa predetermined safety rating, such as an IP-20 safety rating, forexample.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an illustrative bus stack arrangement 1110adapted for use in the power panel 102 includes conductive bus bars 1120substantially similar to the bus bars 120 that are spaced from one in avertical direction V2. In the illustrative embodiment, the bus bars 1120include bus bars 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, 1125, 1126 that extend parallelto one another and are arranged in a first bus bar pair (i.e., 1121,1122), a second bus bar pair (i.e., 1123, 1124), and a third bus barpair (i.e., 1125, 1126). The three bus bar pairs are associated withthree different phases of electrical power that are provided to the busstack arrangement 1110. As such, the bus stack arrangement 1110 may besaid to include two bus bars 1120 per power phase.

Each of the illustrative bus bars 1120 has a metallic construction. Inthe illustrative embodiment, each of the bus bars 1120 is formed fromcopper. In other embodiments, however, each of the bus bars 1120 may beformed from another suitable metallic material. In any case, a metallicspacer or donut 1112 is disposed between the bus bars 1121, 1122, ametallic spacer or donut 1114 is disposed between the bus bars 1123,1124, and a metallic spacer or donut 1116 is disposed between the busbars 1125, 1126. The spacers 1112, 1114, 1116 have a metallicconstruction substantially identical to, or otherwise substantiallysimilar to, the bus bars 1120.

The illustrative bus stack arrangement 1110 includes insulators 1130 toprovide electrical insulation between multiple conductive bus bars 1120and/or between one of the bus bars 1120 and another component (e.g., oneof the metallic brackets 1104, 1106). In the illustrative embodiment,the insulators 1130 includes insulators 1131, 1132, 1133, 1134 that arearranged in insulator pairs corresponding to the bus bar pairs. Morespecifically, the insulators 1130 are arranged in a first insulator pair(i.e., 1131, 1132) corresponding to the first bus bar pair (i.e., 1121,1122), a second insulator pair (i.e., 1132, 1133) corresponding to thesecond bus bar pair (i.e., 1123, 1124), and a third insulator pair(i.e., 1133, 1134) corresponding to the third bus bar pair (i.e., 1125,1126). The insulator 1132 is arranged between the first and second busbar pairs and the insulator 1133 is arranged between the second andthird bus bar pairs. The insulator 1131 is arranged between the bracket1104 and the first bus bar pair and the insulator 1134 is arrangedbetween the third bus bar pair and the bracket 1106.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the insulators 1130 has apolymeric construction. At least in some embodiments, each of theinsulators 1130 may be at least partially filled with an electricalinsulator, such as glass, for example. Of course, it should beappreciated that in other embodiments, each of the insulators 1130 mayhave another suitable construction and may be at least partially filledwith another suitable material.

The illustrative insulators 1130 cooperate to define gaps 1128 in thevertical direction V2 through which conductive components (e.g., theclip assemblies 1200) may extend and through which a foreign object(e.g., an electrical probe) may be inserted such that the foreign objectis in proximity to one or more of the bus bars 1120, as furtherdiscussed below. The gaps 1128 are defined in substantially identicalfashion between projections 1138 of adjacent insulators 1130.

Each of the insulators 1130 includes a main body 1136 and at least oneprojection or safety feature 1138 that extends outwardly from the mainbody 1136 along or adjacent to one of the bus bars 1120. In theillustrative embodiment, leading edges 1129 of the bus bars 1120 arenested into the safety features 1138 such that the safety features 1138at least partially cover the leading edges 1129. In at least someembodiments, the bus bars 1120 may be at least partially embedded in thesafety features 1138.

The illustrative projections 1138 of adjacent insulators 1130 extendtoward one another in the vertical direction V2 to define the gaps 1128therebetween that are sized to resist insertion of foreign objectsthrough the gaps 1128 such that the inserted foreign objects contact oneof the bus bars 1120 arranged adjacent the gaps 1128. Additionally, thegaps 1128 are sized to permit insertion therethrough of conductivecomponents (e.g., the clip assemblies 1200) to establish an electricalconnection between the bus bars 1120 and an electrical load (e.g., theelectrical load 180) through the conductive components.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the projections 1138 of theinsulators 1130 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The projections1138 of adjacent insulators 1130 define generally planar faces 1140 thatface one another and are arranged in confronting relation to oneanother. In other embodiments, however, the projections 1138 may haveanother suitable cross-sectional shape and define faces having othersuitable geometries.

In the illustrative embodiment, the gaps 1128 are defined between thefaces 1140 of the projections 1138 of the adjacent insulators 1130. Thegaps 1128 defined between the projections 1138 of the adjacentinsulators 1130 are sized to resist insertion therethrough of a humanfinger or an electrical probe having a diameter of at least 12millimeters such that the inserted object contacts one of the bus bars1120 arranged adjacent the gaps 1128. Accordingly, in at least someembodiments, the projections 1138 are embodied as, or otherwise include,safety features that provide, satisfy, or are otherwise associated with,a predetermined safety standard, for example, the IP20 safety standardor another safety standard. As such, at least in some embodiments, thefaces 1140 of the adjacent insulators 1131, 1132 which define the gaps1128 are spaced a distance D4 from one another that is no greater than12 millimeters. Of course, in other embodiments, the distance D4 mayhave another suitable value.

Referring now to FIG. 12, one of the electrically conductive clipassemblies 1200 coupled to the bus bars 120 and the at least oneelectrical load 180 to establish an electrical connection betweenmultiple bus bars 120 is shown in greater detail. Although the clipassembly 1200 is described in greater detail below with reference to thebus stack arrangement 110, it should be appreciated that the clipassembly 1200 is adapted for use with any one of the bus stackarrangements 410, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110 discussed above. When usedin one of the bus stack arrangements 110, 410, 710, 810, 910, 1010,1110, it should be appreciated that multiple clip assemblies 1200 areused to electrically couple the bus bars (e.g., the bus bars 120) to theelectrical load (e.g., the electrical load 180) as shown in FIG. 1. Morespecifically, in at least some embodiments, three clip assemblies 1200may each be arranged in contact with one of three bus bar pairs (e.g.,one of the three pairs of bus bars 120) to electrically couple the busbars to the electrical load.

The illustrative clip assembly 1200 includes a metallic clip 1210 havinga tang 1220 and a C-shaped section 1230 interconnected with the tang1220. Additionally, the clip assembly 1200 includes a biasing element1260 coupled to the clip 1210. In the illustrative embodiment, the tang1220 interacts with (e.g., is coupled to) a component of the electricalload 180, such as a connective device thereof, for example. Theillustrative C-shaped section 1230 is positioned between the conductivebus bars 121, 122 and the biasing element 1260 is positioned betweenlegs 1232, 1234 of the C-shaped section 1230 to apply a biasing force BFto each leg 1232, 1234 that urges each leg 1232, 1234 in contact withone of the bus bars 121, 122.

When the clip assembly 1200 is installed in a power panel (e.g., thepower panel 102) as shown in FIG. 1, the biasing element 1260 urges thelegs 1232, 1234 of the C-shaped section 1230 in contact with the busbars 121, 122 to facilitate establishment of an electrical connectionbetween the bus stack arrangement 110 and the electrical load 180. Thebiasing forces BF applied to the C-shaped section 1230 by the biasingelement 1260 enable application of contact forces CF to the bus bars121, 122 by the corresponding legs 1232, 1234 such that consistentcontact between the legs 1232, 1234 and the bus bars 121, 122 may beattained in use of the power panel. Such contact may be achieved despitesome degree of misalignment between the C-shaped section 1230 and thebus bars 121, 122. Additionally, that contact may be largely achievedregardless of the entry angle and/or orientation of the C-shaped section1230 in the gap 128.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, it should be appreciatedthat each clip assembly may have a configuration different from theillustrative assembly 1200 depicted in FIG. 12. In one example, multipleclips (e.g., two clips 1210) may be arranged adjacent one another (e.g.,stacked in a vertical direction or positioned side-by-side) in each gap(e.g., the gap 128), and one biasing element (e.g., one element 1260)may be arranged such that the biasing element biases each one of theclips into engagement with one of the bus bars adjacent the gap (e.g.,the bus bars 121, 122) when the assembly is installed in the gap. Inanother example, multiple biasing elements (e.g., two biasing elements1260) may be arranged adjacent one another (e.g., stacked in a verticaldirection or positioned side-by-side) in a single clip (e.g., the clip1210) such that the biasing elements cooperatively bias portions (e.g.,the legs 1232, 1234) of the clip into engagement with one of the busbars adjacent the gap when the assembly is installed in the gap. Ofcourse, additional configurations of each clip assembly are contemplatedby, and within the spirit of, the present disclosure.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, alternate terminology may beused to describe various features of the clip assembly 1200 and the clip1210, among other things. In one example, the tang 1220 may be referredto herein as a load-side clip portion 1220 that extends in a load-sidedirection D5 and includes a load-side contact surface 1222 that isstructured to conductively couple the clip 1210 with the electrical load180. In another example, the C-shaped section 1230 may be describedherein as including (i) a first line-side clip portion (analogous to oneof the legs 1232, 1234) extending in a line-side direction D6 andconductively coupled with the load-side clip portion 1220 and (ii) asecond line-side clip portion (analogous to the other of the legs 1232,1234) extending in the line-side direction D6 and conductively coupledwith the load-side clip portion 1220. The first line-side clip portion1232 may include a first bus bar contact surface 1236 that faces anouter direction D7, and the second line-side clip portion 1234 mayinclude a second bus bar contact surface 1238 that faces an outerdirection D8 different from the outer direction D7. The second line-sideclip portion 1234 may be spaced apart from the first line-side clipportion 1232 to define a gap 1240 extending between a first innersurface 1233 of the first line-side clip portion 1232 and a second innersurface 1235 of the second line-side clip portion 1234. The biasingelement 1260 may be described herein as a compression spring 1260 thatis positioned in the gap 1240 and extends between the first innersurface 1233 of the first line-side clip portion 1232 and the secondinner surface 1235 of the second line-side clip portion 1234.

In the illustrative embodiment, the legs or line-side clip portions1232, 1234 are coupled to one another by a curved line-side clip portion1242. In cooperation with one another, the clip portions 1232, 1234,1242 define the C-shape of the C-shaped section 1230. Due at least inpart to that arrangement, the line-side clip portions 1232, 1234 arearranged substantially, or at least generally, parallel to one another.

Each of the illustrative bus bar contact surfaces 1236, 1238 is asubstantially planar surface. Additionally, as a consequence of thearrangement of the line-side clip portions 1232, 1234, the bus barcontact surfaces 1236, 1238 are arranged substantially parallel to oneanother.

In the illustrative embodiment, the C-shaped section 1230 (i.e., theline-side clip portion 1232) is interconnected with the tang orload-side clip portion 1220 by a transition section 1244 of the clip1210. The transition section 1244 includes a convex portion 1246 and aconcave portion 1248 interconnected with the convex portion 1246. TheC-shaped section 1230, the transition section 1244, and the load-sideclip portion 1220 are illustratively integrally formed. Therefore, theillustrative clip 1210 is an integrally formed component.

The illustrative legs or line-side clip portions 1232, 1234 are formedto include corresponding recesses 1252, 1254. It should be appreciatedthat the recesses 1252, 1254 may each include, or otherwise be embodiedas, an indentation, a notch, a groove, a channel, or the like. Therecess 1252 formed in the line-side clip portion 1232 is defined atleast in part by the generally planar inner surface 1233 thereof, whichmay be referred to herein as an engagement surface. The recess 1254formed in the line-side clip portion 1234 is defined at least in part bythe generally planar inner surface 1235 thereof, which also may bereferred to herein as an engagement surface. In the illustrativeembodiment, the inner or engagement surfaces 1233, 1235 face one anotherand are arranged in confronting relation to one another.

When the illustrative clip assembly 1200 is assembled and installed inthe power panel (e.g., the power panel 102), the biasing element 1260extends into the recesses 1252, 1254 and contacts the engagementsurfaces 1233, 1235 of the line-side clip portions 1232, 1234 to biasthe portions 1232, 1234 outwardly into engagement with the bus bars 121,122. Said another way, when the clip assembly 1200 is assembled andinstalled in the gap 128, the biasing element 1260 exerts force in (i)the direction D7 that pushes the bus bar contact surface 1236 againstthe bus bar 121 and in (ii) the direction D8 that pushes the bus barcontact surface 1238 against the bus bar 122.

It should be appreciated that the clip 1210 (i.e., with or without thebiasing element 1260 positioned therein) is slideable into and out ofthe gap 128 defined between the bus bars 121, 122. When the clipassembly 1200 is assembled and installed in the power panel in the gap128, the biasing element 1260 applies the biasing forces BF to each ofthe legs 1232, 1234 of the C-shaped section 1230 of the clip 1210 thatis independent of force applied by an orientation of the C-shapedsection 1230 relative to the bus bars 121, 122 and independent of forceapplied by, or otherwise associated with, deformation of the clipassembly 1200. When the assembled clip assembly 1200 is removed from thegap 128, the biasing element 1260 is in a state of compression in whichthe biasing element 1260 exerts the biasing forces BF on the innersurfaces 1233, 1235 of the line-side clip portions 1232, 1234.

In the illustrative embodiment, the biasing element 1260 is embodied as,or otherwise includes, a coiled compression spring. In otherembodiments, the biasing element 1260 may be embodied as, or otherwiseinclude, another suitable device. In such embodiments, the biasingelement 1260 may be embodied as, or otherwise include, a helical spring,a spiral spring, a leaf spring, a wave spring, a Belleville spring, aserpentine spring, a garter spring, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 13, an illustrative method 1300 of servicing thepower panel 102 may be performed manually (e.g., by an operator) orautomatically (e.g., by a robot under control by a controller). Themethod 1300 corresponds to, or is otherwise associated with, performanceof the blocks described below in the illustrative sequence of FIG. 13.It should be appreciated, however, that the method 1300 may be performedin one or more sequences different from the illustrative sequence.

The illustrative method 1300 begins with block 1302. In block 1302,access to the bus stack arrangement (e.g., one of the bus stackarrangements 110, 410, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110) of the power panel 102is obtained. To obtain access to the bus stack arrangement in block1302, block 1304 is performed. In block 1304, access is obtained to thebus stack arrangement such that adjacent projections/safety features ofthe insulators (e.g., the safety features 138 of adjacent insulators130, the safety features 438 of adjacent insulators 430, the safetyfeatures 738 of adjacent insulators 730, the safety features 838 ofadjacent insulators 830, the safety features 938 of adjacent insulators930, the safety features 1038 of adjacent insulators 1030, the safetyfeatures 1138 of adjacent insulators 1130) prevent contact between afinger of the user and one of multiple bus bars (e.g., one of the busbars 120, 420, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120) arranged in close proximity tothe adjacent projections/safety features through a gap (e.g., the gap128, 428, 728, 828, 928, 1028, 1128) defined between the adjacentprojections/safety features. Upon completion of block 1304 and thereforeblock 1302, the method 1300 subsequently proceeds to block 1306.

In block 1306 of the illustrative method 1300, an electrical probe(e.g., the probe 590) is positioned adjacent to the gap (e.g., the gap128, 428, 728, 828, 928, 1028, 1128) defined vertically between adjacentinsulators. From block 1306, the method 1300 subsequently proceeds toblock 1308.

In block 1308 of the illustrative method 1300, the electrical probe isinserted through the gap toward a space (e.g., one of the verticalspaces between the bus bars 120, 420, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120) definedbetween multiple bus bars. From block 1308, the method 1300 subsequentlyproceeds to block 1310.

In block 1310 of the illustrative method 1300, at least one of thesafety features/projections of the adjacent insulators is contacted withthe electrical probe to resist contact between the electrical probe andone of the multiple bus bars through the gap. To do so, block 1312 isperformed. In block 1312, the at least one of the safetyfeatures/projections is contacted with the electrical probe such that atip (e.g., the tip 592) is spaced from each of the multiple bus barsarranged adjacent the gap.

Referring now to FIG. 14, an illustrative method 1400 of assembling thepower panel 102 may be performed manually (e.g., by an operator) orautomatically (e.g., by a robot under control by a controller). Themethod 1400 corresponds to, or is otherwise associated with, performanceof the blocks described below in the illustrative sequence of FIG. 14.It should be appreciated, however, that the method 1400 may be performedin one or more sequences different from the illustrative sequence.

The illustrative method 1400 begins with block 1402. In block 1402, eachclip assembly (e.g., each of the clip assemblies 1200) is assembled. Toassemble each clip assembly in block 1402, block 1404 is performed. Inblock 1404, the biasing element (e.g., the biasing element 1260) ispositioned between the legs (e.g., the legs 1232, 1234) of the C-shapedsection (e.g., the C-shaped section 1230) of each clip (e.g., the clip1210) to apply a biasing force (e.g., the biasing force BF) to each legthat urges each leg outwardly (e.g., in the directions D7, D8). Toperform block 1404, block 1406 is performed. In block 1406, the biasingelement is engaged with engagement surfaces (e.g., the engagementsurfaces 1233, 1235) of the legs. It should be appreciated that toperform block 1406, the biasing element is inserted into the recesses(e.g., the recesses 1252, 1254) formed in the legs. In any case, uponcompletion of blocks 1404 and 1406 and therefore block 1402, the method1400 subsequently proceeds to block 1408.

In block 1408 of the illustrative method 1400, the C-shaped section ofthe clip of each clip assembly is inserted through the gap (e.g., thegap 128, 428, 728, 828, 928, 1028, 1128) and between adjacent bus bars(e.g., adjacent bus bars 120, 420, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120) such thatthe biasing force applied to each leg by the biasing element urges eachleg in contact with one of the bus bars. From block 1408, the method1400 subsequently proceeds to block 1410.

In block 1410 of the illustrative method 1400, the tang (e.g., the tang1220) of each clip is mounted to a component of the electricalaccessory/load (e.g., the electrical load 180) of the power panel.

While illustrative embodiments of the disclosure have been illustratedand described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, thesame is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive incharacter, it being understood that only certain exemplary embodimentshave been shown and described and that all changes and modificationsthat come within the spirit of the claimed inventions are desired to beprotected. It should be understood that while the use of words such aspreferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in thedescription above indicates that the feature so described may be moredesirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lackingthe same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, thescope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, itis intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “atleast one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim toonly one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim.When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used theitem can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specificallystated to the contrary.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A bus stack arrangement for a power panel,the bus stack arrangement comprising: a plurality of conductive bus barsspaced from one another and coupled to one or more loads to distributeelectrical power thereto; and a plurality of insulators to provideelectrical insulation, wherein each of the insulators includes a mainbody and at least one projection that extends outwardly from the mainbody along a respective one of the plurality of bus bars, and whereinthe projections of adjacent insulators of the plurality of insulatorsextend toward one another to define a gap therebetween that is sized toresist insertion of a foreign object through the gap such that theinserted foreign object does not contact either of adjacent bus bars ofthe plurality of bus bars arranged adjacent to the gap, whereininnermost edges of the projections of the adjacent insulators are spacedfrom outermost edges of the adjacent bus bars, and wherein outermostedges of the projections of the adjacent insulators are spaced a firstdistance from one another to define the gap, wherein the innermost edgesof the projections of the adjacent insulators are spaced a seconddistance from one another to define an opening fluidly coupled to thegap, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.2. The bus stack arrangement of claim 1, wherein the foreign object is ahuman finger or an electrical probe having a diameter of at least 12millimeters.
 3. The bus stack arrangement of claim 1, wherein theadjacent bus bars are arranged in a bus bar pair and the adjacentinsulators are arranged in an insulator pair corresponding to the busbar pair.
 4. The bus stack arrangement of claim 3, wherein one or moreof the bus bar pair includes three bus bar pairs associated with threedifferent phases of the electrical power.
 5. The bus stack arrangementof claim 1, wherein the gap is sized to permit insertion of at least oneconductive component through the gap to establish an electricalconnection between the adjacent bus bars and one or more accessoriesthrough the at least one conductive component.
 6. The bus stackarrangement of claim 5, wherein the at least one conductive component isa C-shaped clip arranged in contact with the adjacent bus bars and theone or more accessories include a circuit breaker.
 7. The bus stackarrangement of claim 1, wherein the projections of the adjacentinsulators each have a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.
 8. The busstack arrangement of claim 1, wherein a first portion of each of the atleast one projection extends substantially parallel to a horizontal axisdefined by the adjacent bus bars, and wherein a second portion of eachof the at least one projection interconnected to the first portionthereof extends at an angle to the horizontal axis defined by theadjacent bus bars.
 9. The bus stack arrangement of claim 1, wherein theinsulators further includes additional projections, each of theadditional projections have a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
 10. Thebus stack arrangement of claim 1, wherein the insulators provide theelectrical insulation between at least one of the plurality ofconductive bus bars and another structure.
 11. The bus stack arrangementof claim 1, wherein the plurality of insulators provide the electricalinsulation between multiple bus bars of the plurality of conductive busbars.
 12. A power panel comprising: a bus stack arrangement including aplurality of conductive bus bars spaced from one another and a pluralityof insulators to provide electrical insulation; and one or moreelectrical accessories coupled to the plurality of bus bars, whereineach of the insulators includes a main body and at least one safetyfeature that extends outwardly from the main body, wherein the safetyfeatures of adjacent insulators of the plurality of insulators extendtoward one another to define a gap therebetween that is sized to resistinsertion of a foreign object such that the inserted foreign object doesnot contact either of adjacent bus bars of the plurality of bus barsthrough the gap, and wherein the gap is sized to permit insertiontherethrough of at least one conductive component to establish anelectrical connection between the adjacent bus bars and the one or moreelectrical accessories through the at least one conductive component,and wherein outermost edges of the safety features of the adjacentinsulators are spaced a first distance from one another in a verticaldirection to define the gap, wherein innermost edges of the safetyfeatures of the adjacent insulators are spaced a second distance fromone another in the vertical direction to define an opening fluidlycoupled to the gap, and wherein the second distance is greater than thefirst distance.
 13. The power panel of claim 12, wherein leading edgesof the adjacent bus bars are nested into the safety features of theadjacent insulators such that the safety features at least partiallycover the leading edges.
 14. The power panel of claim 12, wherein thesafety features for the adjacent insulators include at least two pairsof safety features.
 15. The power panel of claim 12, wherein a firstportion of each of the at least one safety feature extends substantiallyparallel to a horizontal axis defined by the adjacent bus bars, andwherein a second portion of each of the at least one safety featureinterconnected to the first portion thereof extends at an angle to thehorizontal axis defined by the adjacent bus bars.
 16. The power panel ofclaim 12, wherein the at least one safety feature for each of at leastone insulator of the insulators includes multiple safety features of theat least one safety feature formed on one side of each of the at leastone insulator and spaced apart in a horizontal direction.
 17. A methodof servicing a power panel including a bus stack arrangement that has aconductive bus bars spaced from one another and a plurality ofinsulators to provide electrical insulation, the method comprising:obtaining access to the bus stack arrangement, the bus stack arrangementcomprising: the conductive bus bars spaced from one another and coupledto one or more accessories to distribute electrical power thereto; andthe insulators to provide the electrical insulation, wherein each of theinsulators includes a main body and at least one projection that extendsoutwardly from the main body along a respective one of the bus bars, andwherein the projections of adjacent insulators of the insulators extendtoward one another to define a gap therebetween that is sized to resistinsertion of a foreign object through the gap such that the insertedforeign object does not contact either of adjacent bus bars of the busbars arranged adjacent to the gap, wherein innermost edges of theprojections of the insulators are spaced from outermost edges of the busbars, and wherein outermost edges of the projections of the adjacentinsulators are spaced a first distance from one another to define thegap, wherein the innermost edges of the projections of the adjacentinsulators are spaced a second distance from one another to define anopening fluidly coupled to the gap, and wherein the second distance isgreater than the first distance; positioning an electrical probeadjacent to the gap, wherein the gap is defined in a vertical directionbetween the projections of the adjacent insulators; inserting theelectrical probe through the gap toward a space defined between theadjacent bus bars; and contacting the projections of the adjacentinsulators with the electrical probe to resist contact between theelectrical probe and any of the adjacent bus bars through the gap. 18.The method of claim 17, wherein the obtaining access to the bus stackarrangement includes obtaining access to the bus stack arrangement suchthat the projections of the adjacent insulators prevent contact betweena finger of a user and either of the adjacent bus bars arranged in closeproximity to the projections of the adjacent insulators through the gapdefined between the projections of the adjacent insulators.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the contacting the projections of theadjacent insulators with the electrical probe includes contacting the atleast one of the projections of the adjacent insulators with theelectrical probe such that a tip of the electrical probe is spaced fromeach of the adjacent bus bars.